A FLUID DISPENSER

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing fluid into a cistern, such as a cistern on a wc. The apparatus comprises a receptacle (1) to be mounted in position within the cistern. A pivoted scoop (6) is mounted to move pivotally about trunnions (7). A float (10) is connected to one end of the scoop to cause the scoop to pivot whenever the cistern is emptied. As the scoop pivots, a trough (8) located within the receptacle scoops up fluid from within the receptacle and dispenses the fluid into the cistern.

Description: "A FLUID DISPENSER" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a fluid dispenser and more particularly relates to a fluid dispenser adapted to dispense a fluid into the cistern of a water-closet or into a corresponding cistern provided on a urinal. The present also relates to a fluid adapted to be dispensed by a dispenser in accordance with the invention. It has been proposed before to provide various devices to add a bleach or disinfectant or equivalent material to water contained within the cistern of a water- closet or the cistern of a urinal. For example it has bee proposed to suspend, within the cistern, a block of material which has a low solubility. Whenever the cistern is full, the block of material will tend to dissolve into the cistern. This has the disadvantage that if the cistern remains unoperated for a long period of time, a considerable quantity of the block may dissolve, which is wasteful. Other proposals have been made, including the use of complex containers with various siphonic or convoluted flow passages to permit the ingress and egress of water. Typically these containers also contain a solid material which dissolves gradually over the course of time, and although the problem found with a simple block of material is reduced, nevertheless the problem still exists. The present invention seeks to provide a fluid dispenser for use within a cistern, which is adapted automatically to dispense a fluid whenever the cistern is utilised. The present invention also seeks to provide an improved fluid suitable for use with the dispenser of the invention. Since the dispenser dispenses fluid whenever the cistern is utilised, the fluid is present in the "U- bend" of a water-closet or urinal whenever the cistern has flushed. Thus, the water-closet or urinal is always exposed to the fluid which is dispensed by the fluid dispenser. Consequently, it is possible to utilise, with benefit, a fluid having very specific properties. According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensing liquid into a cistern, the apparatus comprising means to mount the apparatus in a cistern, the apparatus further comprising a receptacle for containing liquid to be dispensed into the cistern and a movable scoop adapted to move, in response to actuation of the cistern, to scoop up liquid from the receptacle and to discharge the liquid into the cistern. Preferably the scoop is actuated in response to movement of a pivoted handle or other pivoted element forming part of the flushing mechanism. Conveniently the scoop moves in response to movement of a float within the cistern. In one embodiment the scoop is a pivotally mounted element comprising an element of elongate form having a channel section being closed at one end and open at the other end, the scoop being mounted for pivotal movement such that the' closed end is located within the receptacle. Preferably the float is directly connected to the pivoted scoop so that movement of the float causes pivotal movement of the scoop. Advantageously the float is connected to a drive mechanism adapted to drive a shaft, the shaft having at least one projecting portion, the projecting portion being adapted to engage the scoop and move the scoop pivotally as the shaft rotates. Conveniently two scoops are provided each associated with a discrete chamber of a receptacle, the shaft having two protruding portions each adapted to co¬ operate with one respective scoop. Preferably the projecting portions are offset and the shaft is adapted to be rotated through half a revolution on each actuation of the cistern, so that the scoops are each pivoted on alternate actuations of the cistern. Advantageously the shaft carries a toothed ratchet wheel, the toothed ratchet wheel co-operating with a rack carried on an element which moves in response to movement of a float. In another embodiment the scoop is in the form of a bucket suspended from a shaft, the shaft being driven rotationally by a mechanism incorporating a float, the bucket being adapted to be moved from a lowered position within the receptacle, at which the bucket may be filled with liquid present in the receptacle, to an elevated position at which part of the bucket engages a chute provided on the receptacle, the bucket being tilted to discharge liquid onto the chute, the chute directing liquid into the cistern. Preferably the shaft carries a toothed wheel which engages a rack, the rack being carried on an element which moves in response to movement of a float. In another embodiment the float is the ball of the ball valve mechanism of the cistern. Conveniently the scoop is connected to the ball by a resilient element. The resilient element may comprise a spring or the like. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a fluid adapted to be dispensed into a toilet or urinal whenever the toilet or urinal is flushed, the fluid comprising a bleach or a biodegradable enzyme and an oil or fat. Preferably the bleach comprises a material providing free chlorine. Conveniently the bleach comprises between 25 and 25% by weight of the fluid. Advantageously the oil or fat comprises glycerine or a glycerine derivative. Preferably the oil or fat comprises glyceryl cocate. Advantageously the oil or fat is present to an extent of 10 to 20% by weight of the fluid. Conveniently the fluid incorporates a water- softener. Preferably the water-softener comprises sodium laureth sulphate. The fluid may additionally comprise a scent. This invention also relates to a device in accordance with the invention in combination with a fluid in accordance with the invention. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of part of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 illustrating the apparatus in one condition; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 illustrating the apparatus in an alternate condition; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of part of a modified embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention, and FIGURE 6 is a sectional view illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention. Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a fluid dispenser comprises a receptacle 1 for the fluid comprising a bottom wall and upstanding side walls 2,3,4. The receptacle may be closed if desired but the example illustrated is open-topped. One side wall 3 is provided with a cut-out 5 and an elongate scoop 6 is provided which is pivotally mounted by means of trunnions 7 which extend outwardly from the elongate scoop 6 and which are pivotally mounted onto the side wall 3 adjacent the cut-out 5. The scoop 6, in the form illustrated, is an elongate trough having a base and upstanding side wall, the end of the trough 8 located within the receptacle 1 being closed, and the end of the trough 9 extending beyond the side wall 3 of the receptacle being open. A float 10 is provided connected by means of a rod 11 to the end 9 of the scoop 6 projecting beyond the side wall 3. The rod 11 passes through a guide 12 connected to the side wall 3. The guide 12 comprises a guide ring. The receptacle 1 is provided with mounting brackets, only one, 13, of which is illustrated, to enable the receptacle to be suspended within a cistern. Figure 2 illustrates the receptacle 1 mounted in position within a cistern, when the cistern is substantially full of water 14. When the cistern is full of water the float 10 experiences an upthrust, thus tending to pivot the scoop 6 to the position illustrated in Figure 1. It can be seen that the closed end 8 of the scoop is below the level of liquid 15 provided in the receptacle 1. When the cistern is empty, the water 14 is drained out of the cistern. The float 10 no longer experiences an upthrust due to the effect of the water, but instead experiences a downward pull caused by gravity. The mass of the float 10 is such that the downward pull will cause the scoop 6 to pivot, about the trunnions 7, so that the closed end 8 is lifted up above the level of fluid 15 within the receptacle l, and the open end 9 is at a position below the position of the closed end 8. As the scoop 6 moves from the position of Figure 2 to the position of Figure 3, an aliquot of liquid 15 is caught within the scoop and is subsequently discharged as a series of drops 16. This liquid is actually discharged into the water 14 as it drains out of the cistern. The liquid 15 may be a bleach, a detergent, antiseptic, or an anti-lime-scale liquid. The liquid will be discharged into the water in the cistern as the cistern is being emptied, so that the final part of the water discharged rom the cistern comprises a solution of the liquid 15 present in the receptacle 1. It is, of course, this final part of the liquid discharged from the cistern that remains in the "U"-bend of the toilet or urinal into which the liquid is discharge upon actuation of the cistern. Referring now to Figure 4, a scoop 6 is illustrated, equivalent in all respects to the scoop 6 of the embodiment of Figure 1. The free end of this scoop is connected by a resilient element, comprising a helical spring 17, to an arm 18 to which is connected the ball 19 of the ball valve mechanism of the cistern. It is to be appreciated that the ball 19 will rise and fall with the level of water in the cistern. As the cistern empties, the ball 19 will move downwardly. Initially the spring 17 will extend. The strength of the spring is selected such that when the ball reaches its lowermost position, that is to say when the cistern is substantially empty, the force in the spring is sufficient to cause the scoop 6 to tilt, thus discharging an aliquot of liquid from a receptacle associated with the scoop (equivalent to the receptacle 1 of Figure 1) into the cistern. As the cistern refills the ball 19 will rise, and the scoop 6 will return to its initial position, the spring 17 being in an unextended condition. Figure 5 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention capable of discharging, on alternate flushes of the cistern, two different liquids. In the embodiment of Figure 4 a receptacle 20 is provided divided into two chambers 21,22 each adapted to contain a different liquid. Each chamber is provided with a scoop 23,24, the design of each scoop being equivalent to that of the scoop 6 of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3. A substantially horizontal shaft 25 is provided having two cranked portions 26,27, cranked in opposite directions. The horizontal shaft is located adjacent the projecting parts of the pivoted scoops 23 and 24 and the arrangement is such that on every half-turn of the shaft 25 either the cranked portion 26 will engage the scoop 23 so as to cause the scoop to pivot to a tilted position or the cranked portion 27 will engage the scoop 24 to cause the scoop 24 to pivot to a tilted position. One end of the shaft 25 is provided with a toothed ratchet wheel 28. The toothed ratchet wheel 28 engages a rack 29 formed on a rod 30, the lower end of which is provided with a float 31. The rod 30 is guided for vertical movement. The arrangement is such that, when water is introduced into the cistern and the float 31 rises, the ratchet wheel 28 merely ratchets. However, when the water level in the cistern falls, the ratchet wheel 28 is rotated to such an extent that the shaft 25 executes a half-turn. Thus, whenever the cistern is emptied, either the scoop 26 or the scoop 24 moves to the titled position, thus dispensing liquid in the manner described above with reference to Figure 1. The receptacle 21 may contain a liquid such as bleach, and the receptacle 22 may contain a liquid such as a detergent or shampoo. Of course, the receptacles may contain any suitable liquids, but it is to be appreciated that on successive actuations of the cistern the bleach and the detergent will be dispensed alternately. Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which a receptacle 40 is provided to contain an appropriate liquid 41, the receptacle being provided with an inclined chute 42, having one end 43 located within the receptacle 1. A scoop in the form of a bucket 44 is provided, the bucket being suspended by a cord 45, one end of which is wounded around a substantially horizontal shaft 46. Provided at the end of the shaft 46 is a toothed wheel 47 which engages a rack 48 present on a vertical element 49 which has, at its lower end, a float 50. The element 49 is guided for vertical movement. When the illustrated apparatus is present in the cistern, as the cistern is filled, the float rises, thus rotating the toothed wheel 47 and hence the shaft 46 in such a direction that the bucket 44 is lowered down towards the bottom of the receptacle 40. The bucket is thus moved to a level beneath the level of liquid 41 within the receptacle 40. When the cistern is emptied the float 50 falls, thus rotating the wheel 47 and a shaft 46 in the opposite direction, and the weight of the float is such that the shaft 46 will rotate to raise the bucket 44. The bucket 44 is provided with a projecting portion 51 which, as the bucket is raised, engages the inner end 43 of the chute 42. The bucket 44 thus tips, discharging at least some of its contents down the chute 42 and into the cistern. The contents of the bucket are added to the cistern when it is in the final stage of emptying. The cycle of operation then repeats. Whilst the invention has been described with reference to embodiments which are operated by means of a float, to the level of the float rising and falling with the level of water within the cistern, it is to be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention may be adapted to be operated directly in response to actuation of -li¬ the flushing mechanism. The typical flushing mechanism involves the • ■actuation of a pivoted handle. It is thus envisaged that there could be a direct link between the pivoted handle and the pivoted scoop so that, on actuation of the pivoted handle, the pivoted scoop executes a pivotal motion, thus discharging liquid from a receptacle into the water present in the cistern. It is envisaged that whilst embodiments of the invention may be provided to be mounted within a cistern, other embodiments may be devised which are permanently mounted in position. If an apparatus in accordance with the invention is mounted permanently in position, the apparatus may be provided with a "sight glass" provided on the exterior of the cistern to enable the level of liquid present within the receptacle to be readily observed. Also a filling spout, readily accessible on the exterior of the cistern, to enable easy filling of the receptacle. Whilst, in the foregoing description, reference has been made to a liquid in the form of a bleach, a detergent, antiseptic, or an anti-lime-scale liquid, it is preferred that a liquid be utilised with the apparatus of the invention which consists of a mixture comprising at least a bleach or biodegradable enzyme, which may act as a germicide, and an oil or fat. The bleach may be any appropriate bleach, such as a bleach providing free chlorine, but may particularly incorporate a hypochlorite, such as sodium hypochlorite. The biodegradable enzyme may be any appropriate enzyme. The oil or fat is preferably a syrupy oil such as glycerine or a glycerine derivative, for example, glyceryl cocoate. The fluid may also contain a material providing a water-softening effect such as sodium laureth sulphate. A typical fluid composition may comprise between 25 and 35% bleach, preferably 30% bleach, 10 to 20% of oil or glycerine derivative, and a small proportion of water- softener, with the rest of the fluid comprising an optional scent and water. In use of the described fluid, the bleach will provide an antiseptic function, providing an environment hostile for any micro-organisms or the like remaining in any solid material present in the w.c. The oil or glycerine derivative will provide a material that adheres to the china or ceramic of the w.c. or urinal, providing that material with a "shiny" finish. The water-softener will prevent the build-up of lime-scale.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. An apparatus for dispensing liquid into a cistern, the apparatus comprising means to mount the apparatus in a cistern, the apparatus further comprising a receptacle for containing liquid to be dispensed into the cistern and a movable scoop adapted to move, in response to actuation of the cistern, to scoop up liquid from the receptacle and to discharge the liquid into the cistern. 2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the scoop is actuated in response to movement of a pivoted handle or other pivoted element forming part of the flushing mechanism. 3. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the scoop moves in response to movement of a float within the cistern. 4. A device according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the scoop is a pivotally mounted element comprising an element of elongate form having a channel section being closed at one end and open at the other end, the scoop being mounted for pivotal movement such that the closed end is located within the receptacle. 5. A device according to Claim 4 as dependent upon Claim 3 wherein the float is directly connected to the pivoted scoop so that movement of the float causes pivotal movement of the scoop. 6. A device according to Claim 4 as dependent upon Claim 3, wherein the float is connected to a drive echanism adapted to drive a shaft, the shaft having at least one projecting portion, the projecting portion being adapted to engage the scoop and move the scoop pivotally as the shaft rotates. 7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein two scoops are provided each associated with a discrete chamber of a receptacle, the shaft having two protruding portions each adapted to co-operate with one scoop. 8. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the projecting portions are offset and the shaft is adapted to be rotated through half a revolution on each actuation of the cistern, so that the scoops are each pivoted on alternate actuations of the cistern. 9. A device according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the shaft carries a toothed ratchet wheel, the toothed ratchet wheel co-operating with a rack carried on an element which moves in response to movement of a float. 10. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the scoop is in the form of a bucket suspended from a shaft, the shaft being driven rotationally by a mechanism incorporating a float, the bucket being adapted to be moved from a lowered position within the receptacle, at which the bucket may be filled with liquid present in the receptacle, to an elevated position at which part of the bucket engages a chute provided on the receptacle, the bucket being tilted to discharge liquid onto the chute, the chute directing liquid into the cistern. 11. A device according to Claim 10, wherein the shaft carries a toothed wheel which engages a rack, the rack being carried on an element which moves in response to movement of a-- float. 12. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the float is the ball of the ball valve mechanism of the cistern. 13. A device according to Claim 12, wherein the scoop is connected to the ball by a resilient element. 14. A fluid adapted to be dispensed into a toilet or urinal whenever the toilet or urinal is flushed, the fluid comprising a bleach or a biodegradable enzyme and an oil or fat. 15. A fluid according to Claim 14 wherein the bleach comprises a material providing free chlorine. 16. A fluid according to Claim 14 or 15 wherein the bleach or biodegradable enzyme comprises between 25 and 35% by weight of the fluid. 17. A fluid according to any one of Claims 14 to 16 wherein the oil or fat comprises glycerine or a glycerine derivative. 18. A fluid according to Claim 17 wherein the oil or fat comprises glyceryl cocate. 19. A fluid according to any one of Claims 14 to 18 wherein the oil or fat is present to an extent of 10 to 20% by weight of the fluid. 20. A fluid according to any one of Claims 14 to 19 wherein the fluid incorporates a water-softener. 21. A fluid according to Claim 20 wherein the water- softener comprises sodium laureth sulphate. 22. A fluid according to any one of Claims 14 to 21 comprising a scent. 23. A device according to any one of Claims l to 13 in combination with a fluid according to any one of Claims 14 to 22.

Inventors: DIXON AUBREY LAURENCE, DIXON, AUBREY, LAURENCE
Applicants: DIXON AUBREY LAURENCE, DIXON, AUBREY, LAURENCE
Application year: 1994
Main classification: E03D9
IPC codes: E03D9